Food-related behaviors during drought: a study of rural Fulani, northeastern Nigeria

Two rural settled Fulani villages in northeast Nigeria were surveyed for di etary practices and use of edible wild plants (n = 100 adult subjects). Die tary patterns and medical data were obtained for children under 5, pregnant and lactating women and the elderly. A diversified diet was maintained at both geographical locations through hunting, gathering, agriculture, hortic ulture, animal husbandry, food exchanges and cash purchases. Edible wild pl ants associated with children included fruits of baure (Ficus sycomorus), f aru (Lannea schiniperi), giginya (Gardenia aqualla), kokiya (Strychnos spin osa) and nunu (Parinari curatellitolia). Leaves of shiwaka (Veronia colorat e) were consumed by lactating women to stimulate breastmilk production. Gen erally, fruits of baure (Ficus sycomorus) were eaten to counter stomach pai n; fruits of kisni (Bridelia ferruginea) were eaten to treat diarrhea; and bark of kuka (Adansonia digitata) was consumed for weight gain. Food storag e was more important during wet seasons than dry because of local and regio nal flooding. Adult Fulani men rode to distant markets on bicycles, while w omen walked to market and in some instances expended 3200 kcal/day engaging in this activity.